Should I trade one 16GB DDR4-3200 stick for two 8GB DDR4-2666 sticks?
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MellowPine47
I currently have a single 16GB Ramsta DDR4-3200 module with a heatsink. I can trade it for two 8GB DDR4-2666 modules and receive some extra cash. My CPU is a Ryzen 5 4600G. Would the performance benefit from running dual-channel memory outweigh the lower speed and reduced upgrade flexibility?
Answers
For a Ryzen 5 4600G, two sticks are generally the better choice because dual-channel memory noticeably improves memory bandwidth, especially for the integrated graphics. The drop from 3200 to 2666 will reduce performance somewhat, but dual-channel is usually more valuable than running one stick. Just make sure the two modules are compatible and can run together at 2666MHz or higher.
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The trade is reasonable if you do not expect to upgrade beyond 16GB soon. Two 8GB modules let the system use dual-channel, but you lose the easy upgrade path of adding another 16GB stick later. If possible, the ideal option would be a matched 2x8GB kit rated for 3200MHz, since Ryzen APUs benefit from faster dual-channel RAM.
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MellowPine47: So dual-channel is better than a single 16GB stick even though the speed is lower?